Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in South Grafton is $482k, with units at $476k. House values have moved 7.9% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
South Grafton has an estimated 6,406 residents, up from 6,288 at the 2021 Census — a change of 118 people, or 1.9%. That puts 257 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
In the suburb of South Grafton, demographic tracking by AreaSearch incorporating broader ABS updates and post-Census address verification indicates an estimated 6,406 residents as of Aug 2026. This marks an expansion of 118 people (1.9%) above the 6,288 people recorded in the 2021 Census. AreaSearch established this figure by evaluating the ABS ERP data release (June 2025), which estimated 6,388 residents, alongside 10 validated new addresses logged following the Census. The local population density stands at 257 persons per square kilometer, providing ample room per resident and capacity for future expansion.
The suburb of South Grafton recorded a 1.9% post-census increase, placing it within 2.9 percentage points of the broader SA4 region (4.8%) to underline steady fundamentals. The primary catalyst for demographic expansion was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 67.0% of all recent population additions. Projections developed by ABS/Geoscience Australia (2024 release, 2022 base year) for individual SA2 localities are applied by AreaSearch, supplemented where necessary by NSW State Government SA2 modeling (2022 release, 2021 base year). Age-specific expansion trajectories from these datasets are extended across all locations for 2032 through 2041. Moving forward, the suburb of South Grafton is projected to experience population expansion slightly below the median for regional Australia, adding 585 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2 forecasts to register an overall gain of 8.8% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building approvals in South Grafton remain subdued, averaging 3 new dwellings annually, or 19 approvals over five years. This constrained development rate aligns with the district's rural setting, wherein building activity typically answers localized dwelling requirements rather than broader market demand. Because overall volumes are minimal, single residential schemes can exert an outsized influence on annual metrics and comparative trends. Residential building activity in South Grafton trails both Rest of NSW and broader national patterns by a considerable margin. New approvals comprise 75.0% detached dwellings alongside 25.0% attached dwellings, consistent with a rural environment characterized by larger landholdings and open space.
This represents a distinct departure from the standing housing profile (currently 90.0% houses), signaling a tightening supply of residential land alongside changing household preferences for varied, cost-effective options. A ratio of 671 people per dwelling approval illustrates the area's subdued development pace. According to the latest quarterly analysis by AreaSearch, South Grafton is projected to add 567 residents through to 2041. Given prevailing approval rates, residential construction may fall short of demographic expansion, a dynamic that could intensify buyer competition and underpin local property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around South Grafton
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside South Grafton, worth an estimated $70 million. A further 41 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $1.48 billion. 12 are already under construction and 9 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and tourism. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure investment, strategic planning, and major development initiatives remain vital determinants of community performance. AreaSearch has identified 6 significant projects positioned to influence the district, highlighted by the Grafton Lifestyle Centre, Rushforth Road Manufactured Home Estate, Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment, and Treelands Drive Community Centre Redevelopment.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Grafton Lifestyle Centre
A $70 million large-format retail and lifestyle precinct on a 3.42-hectare site in South Grafton. Designed by Bruce Henderson Architects, the project features 13,500 sqm of retail space with a 5 Star NABERS and 6 Star Green Star target. The design draws inspiration from the historic Grafton Bridge and includes vertical gardens, EV charging, and a community hub for food trucks and public art. Major tenants include Anaconda, Total Tools, Repco, Petbarn, RSEA, Anytime Fitness, Banjo's Bakery, and Oz Education Early Learning Centre.
Rushforth Road Manufactured Home Estate
$6.65 million development application for 95-lot manufactured home estate at South Grafton providing affordable housing options for the local community. Includes demolition of existing buildings, community building, 25m x 10m swimming pool, children's play area, community gardens, recreation areas, and landscaped areas to support sustainable community living. Currently being assessed by Clarence Valley Council.
Treelands Drive Community Centre Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the Treelands Drive Community Centre in Grafton to provide enhanced community facilities and services. The project aims to create a modern, accessible community hub that meets the evolving needs of local residents.
Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment
The $283.8 million Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment delivers comprehensive upgrades to acute health services for the Clarence Valley region. The project features a new multi-storey Acute Services Building with an expanded Emergency Department, new maternity unit, upgraded operating theatres, and an advanced MRI imaging suite. Overseen by Health Infrastructure NSW and built by Richard Crookes Constructions, main works are underway following early enabling works at the adjacent gaol site.
Grafton Regional Aquatic Centre
$29.1 million redevelopment of Grafton Regional Aquatic Centre by Hines Construction featuring a 50-metre outdoor pool and grandstand, indoor aquatic facility with two 25-metre heated pools, splash pad, new waterslides, electrical substation, and renovation of existing amenities and front entrance. The project includes demolition of existing facilities and is staged to maximise efficiency and service delivery to the community. Construction is on track for completion in December 2024.
Grafton Waterfront Precinct
A $6.5 million transformation of the Grafton riverbank into a family-friendly recreational hub featuring a 700-metre long, 3-metre wide shared user path along the Clarence River, new jetty, accessible footpaths, plaza areas, extensive landscaping, lighting, seating areas, and improved river access connecting Memorial Park to Clarence Street and Salty Seller Reserve.
Alice Street Levee Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation of the Alice Street levee including targeted rock protection to the toe of the riverbank between Alice Street and Queen Street, replacement of failed retaining walls, and ancillary works along the length of the levee. The project reduces flood damage to 4,500 properties and mitigates risk to life for 10,000 residents in North Grafton as part of critical floodplain infrastructure improvements. Completed June 27, 2024.
Maclean Community Precinct (Maclean Civic Hall Redevelopment)
Redevelopment of the former Maclean Civic Hall into a purpose-built regional performing arts and community precinct featuring a 290-seat auditorium, backstage facilities, multipurpose community rooms, gallery foyer, cafe space, function room overlooking the Clarence River, outdoor amphitheatre and undercover parking. Demolition was completed in early 2025, construction commenced in May 2025, and structural works are progressing through 2026 with completion scheduled for late 2026.
2,118 residents of South Grafton are employed, from a labour force of 2,356. Unemployment sits at 10.1%, with participation at 46.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The workforce in South Grafton displays an even distribution between blue-collar and white-collar roles, supported by a substantial presence in essential services. Based on aggregated statistical data from AreaSearch, the local unemployment rate stands at 10.1%, with annual employment growth estimated at 2.3%. As of March 2026, 2,118 residents are employed; however, joblessness exceeds the Regional NSW level of 4.1% by 6.0%, and labor participation of 46.2% trails the 60.6% recorded across Regional NSW. Census figures indicate that just 6.4% of workers operated from home, though pandemic-related movement restrictions should be taken into account.
Local workers are predominantly engaged across health care & social assistance, retail trade, and public administration & safety. Specialization in public administration & safety is pronounced, capturing a workforce share 1.4 times that of the regional benchmark. Conversely, the construction sector accounts for only 6.4% of local employment, falling short of the 9.7% observed across Regional NSW. A comparison between Census resident workers and local operational roles suggests contained employment generation within the immediate area. AreaSearch assessment of broader ABS and SALM metrics indicates that across the 12 months to March 2026, South Grafton recorded a 2.3% rise in employment alongside a 0.5% reduction in the workforce, lowering the jobless rate by 2.5 percentage points. By comparison, Regional NSW registered a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% decline in the labor pool, and a 0.5 percentage point increase in joblessness. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context on future labor needs: nationwide employment is forecast to increase by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with performance varying widely by sector. When applied to South Grafton's local industry composition, these weighted benchmarks suggest local job gains of 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years (representing a standardized illustrative weighting that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in South Grafton is $975 a week (about $51,000 a year), with median personal income at $526 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $38,128 a year against an average of $44,964. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode figures compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate South Grafton taxpayers earned a median income of $38,128 and an average of $44,964, sitting below national averages as well as Regional NSW figures ($52,390 median; $65,215 average). Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $42,063 for median earnings and $49,604 for average earnings as of March 2026. Across personal, family, and household categories, local incomes sit between the 2nd and 5th percentiles nationwide. The $400 - 799 weekly income bracket contains 30.9% of local earners (1,979 individuals), diverging from broader trends where 29.9% earn between $1,500 - 2,999.
In total, 41.0% of households earn below $800 weekly, highlighting financial vulnerability, while housing affordability constraints leave just 82.1% of disposable income available, placing the area in the 4th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
South Grafton had 2,366 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 3% apartments. 27% are owned with a mortgage, 37% rented and 36% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $280 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,144 a month. Rent absorbs 28.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, South Grafton's residential fabric was composed of 90.4% houses and 9.6% other dwellings (incorporating semi-detached homes, units, and alternative structures), compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings across Regional NSW. Full home ownership stood at 36.1%, slightly trailing Regional NSW, with 26.6% of properties carrying a mortgage and 37.2% rented. Typical housing costs are comparatively modest: monthly mortgage commitments averaged $1,144 (versus $1,733 in Regional NSW and $1,863 nationally), while weekly median rents were $280 (compared to $330 in Regional NSW and $375 across Australia).
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
South Grafton counted 2,366 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 19% are couples with children, fewer than in 89% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 64.2% of all South Grafton households, made up of couples without children (23.8%), single parent families (19.9%), and couples with children (19.2%). Non-family arrangements account for the remaining 35.8%, comprising lone person households (32.1%) and group residences (3.5%). The typical household size matches the Regional NSW benchmark at 2.4 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
9.0% of adults in South Grafton hold a university qualification, including 6.3% with a bachelor degree and 1.6% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 94% of areas nationally. A further 33.8% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 1,529 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 850 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher educational attainment presents a distinct profile in South Grafton, where the proportion of residents holding university degrees (9.0%) sits well below the broader NSW figure of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees account for 6.3% of attainment, while postgraduate qualifications and graduate diplomas represent 1.6% and 1.1% respectively. Vocational pathways are prominent, with 41.8% of residents aged 15+ possessing technical or trade credentials, distributed between certificates (33.8%) and advanced diplomas (8.0%). General educational participation is strong, with 30.8% of the local population actively enrolled in study. This includes 12.9% attending primary schools, 9.0% engaged in secondary education, and 2.0% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in South Grafton reaches 82 stops on 66 routes, timetabled for about 940 services a week. The typical home sits about 190 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.1 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The suburb of South Grafton is served by 82 active public transport stops covering both rail and bus networks across 66 distinct transit routes, which together generate 943 weekly passenger trips. Network accessibility is rated as excellent, placing local residents an average of 187 meters from their nearest transit stop. Reflecting an outward commuting trend in a largely residential district, private vehicle use dominates at 93%, with vehicle ownership averaging 1.1 per dwelling (below the regional benchmark). In the 2021 Census, 6.4% of residents reported working from home, a figure potentially influenced by COVID-19 settings.
Public transport operations across all local routes maintain a daily frequency of 134 trips, translating to roughly 11 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
55.5% of residents in South Grafton report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 95% of areas nationally. 10.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 44.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics evaluated by AreaSearch reveal noticeable challenges across South Grafton, with chronic ailments and mortality rates impacting younger as well as older demographics. Private health insurance coverage is notably restricted, encompassing approximately 45% of residents (~2,870 people). This sits below both the Regional NSW level of 51.9% and the nationwide average of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most prevalent long-term health concerns in South Grafton, recorded among 12.3 and 10.5% of the local population respectively. Meanwhile, 55.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW.
Chronic conditions are elevated within the working-age population. Older residents aged 65 and over comprise 21.1% of the community (1,351 people), slightly below the 23.3% share seen across Regional NSW, with senior health rankings aligning broadly with general national outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
South Grafton is largely Australian-born, at 94.0% of residents, with 2.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.3%) and English (30.2%). 10.5% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in South Grafton is comparatively low, with Australian citizens making up 89.5% of the community, 94.0% of residents born in Australia, and 97.2% speaking only English in their households. Christianity is the primary faith, practiced by 53.3% of local residents compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Regarding ancestral background, the most common reported lineages are Australian (34.3%), English (30.2%), and Australian Aboriginal (10.5%, significantly above the 4.6% recorded regionally). Other represented backgrounds include Scottish at 7.3% (versus 8.0% regionally), alongside Samoan and Sri Lankan heritages which each account for 0.1% of South Grafton's population (matching the 0.1% regional level for each).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of South Grafton is 40. 24.5% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution in the suburb of South Grafton reflects a youthful orientation, with August 2026 estimates indicating that children and young adults (0 - 24) comprise 34.3% of the community, exceeding the 29.3% observed across Regional NSW. Conversely, older residents aged 65+ account for 21.1%, compared to 23.3% regionally. AreaSearch assesses the median age at 40 as at August 2026, holding steady from the 2021 Census and remaining 3 years younger than the Regional NSW median of 43 at that Census. The most noticeable cohort shift since the Census occurred among residents aged 25 - 44, who expanded from 21.5% to an estimated 23.0% of the population.
By 2041, this 25 - 44 demographic is projected to drive local growth, increasing by 264 residents (18%) to reach a total of 1,737.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for South Grafton
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 months ago all 3 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 10 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,288 at the 2021 Census → 6,406 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL13598). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.